2 Air Transat pilots charged with being impaired

[Old fella]

Yes, correct. But it HAS to be proven in a Court of Law.

I did say charged, not convicted.

And I said "yes, correct". I would suggest AT is rather a tad cross with these two individuals for the unwanted publicity on bottle to throttle issue and as well, the unnecessary cost of looking after a plane load of disgruntled passengers while everything was being sorted out.

[cpt sweet'njuicy]

I cant believe pilots would fly drunk. What a shocker. When has that happened before. Lets see..............

[ajet32]

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. A fundamental principle of our law and the British as well since that's where ours come from. I have no inside information but this would not be the first time a crew or individual pilot was accused by airport security or the cabin crew only to be completely exonerated. I am hopeful that will be the case here.

[photofly]

This goes a little way beyond mere cabin crew tittle-tattle. The flight crew was arrested, the police upon investigation found there was sufficient evidence to lay charges, and the sheriff felt the evidence credible enough and charges serious enough to deny bail. The pilots are now in a Scottish prison awaiting trial. That doesn't happen in the UK merely on the basis of an idle accusation.

How many people would expect to escape a DUI under the same circumstances?

Even if for some reason they're acquitted, it seems fairly straightforward to me that the pilots have a plain duty to turn up for a flight stone cold sober and in such a way that there is no doubt or concern about it; if they have to start finding reasons why they shouldn't be punished because they weren't really impaired or were only a little bit tipsy ... they still screwed up big time and deserve the sack.

This is not difficult, nuanced, or subtle.

[niss]

I've got nothing to contribute. I just really wanted to see my avatar in this thread.

[pelmet]

Any truth to this comment on another forum....

"I am hearing from an EZ based Captain that was on stand at the time of the incident, that the First Officer was wearing some kind of a cape, possibly what could have drawn attention to them in the first instance."

http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5817 ... cohol.html

['97 Tercel]

What, you don't wear a cape to work sometimes?

[pelmet]

What, you don't wear a cape to work sometimes?

Apparently the story has been confirmed with video evidence as a back-up as recorded by an F/A. Take a look as the crew passed through security with the captain being asked to show his security pass....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEQmF6khAM

[valleyboy]

The total irony about this issue is that millions of dollars are spent on drinking and driving but it's still legal to do so. The legislators need to grow a set and change the laws to zero tolerance. It seems that we are incapable of doing it ourselves. This "macho" pilot image is still alive and well in Canada. Pilots are no different from any other profession. There is substance abuse everywhere. It seems in aviation some feel it's a required image to be an ace macool. I know of examples where uniforms were worn to a bar, off duty (on more than one occasion) with the thought that uniforms work better than gin in the pantie remover department. Damn, the road to maturity is a long one. Some never seem to achieve it.

[KAG]

It's never cool to where your uniform to the bar, and at some jobs it'll get you fired.

This does bring up a good conversation about drinking (not to excess) on a layover, and are you really legal to fly? You may feel fine, have your 12 hours, but is it really out of your system. Gives one pause about having that last bevie before cutoff.

[BTD]

What, you don't wear a cape to work sometimes?

Apparently the story has been confirmed with video evidence as a back-up as recorded by an F/A. Take a look as the crew passed through security with the captain being asked to show his security pass....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzEQmF6khAM

Dammit. I've been had!

[gasbag1]

The simple truth to flying in and out of the UK, any drinking on the layover must be kept to a minimum. The limits for crew members are very low. One could argue the limit is too low however the rules are clear and any pilot flying into any country should be aware of breaking the regulations could land you in prison.

And it doesn't matter if an F/A turned them in or a Security Officer at a checkpoint. Once the police are informed of a suspected impairment they will arrive,even to the flight deck. If you fail the breathalyzer, off to the police station. These two obviously failed the follow up tests.

These two are not the first and will not be the last. Some pilots think rules don't apply to them individually, and get away with showing up impaired after a "fun" layover. Sooner or later......

[CpnCrunch]

The simple truth to flying in and out of the UK, any drinking on the layover must be kept to a minimum. The limits for crew members are very low. One could argue the limit is too low however the rules are clear and any pilot flying into any country should be aware of breaking the regulations could land you in prison.

And it doesn't matter if an F/A turned them in or a Security Officer at a checkpoint. Once the police are informed of a suspected impairment they will arrive,even to the flight deck. If you fail the breathalyzer, off to the police station. These two obviously failed the follow up tests.

These two are not the first and will not be the last. Some pilots think rules don't apply to them individually, and get away with showing up impaired after a "fun" layover. Sooner or later......

I'm not so sure that the low limits had anything to do with it. The FAs presumably noticed weird behaviour and/or alcohol on the pilots' breath. It's not clear what exactly they noticed, but presumably something more than the effect you'd get after drinking a glass of wine with your lunch.

[SheriffPatGarrett]

FFS. Just when people finally forget about that drug smuggler Capt.

He is still a big hero out east and giving "safety" conferences everywhere...and people talk of zero tolerance?
Tolerance of what? Could be worse...think of the big union buster that made 100 of millions
supplying the Lalaland hoi polloi with cocaine...Every time you got a jumpseat ride, the cappie made sure
your name was not on the shit list alongside this guy!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_Lacy

You cant pay me enough money to fly on these clowns' airplanes!

[bobcaygeon]

Yes, correct. But it HAS to be proven in a Court of Law.

I did say charged, not convicted.

And I said "yes, correct". I would suggest AT is rather a tad cross with these two individuals for the unwanted publicity on bottle to throttle issue and as well, the unnecessary cost of looking after a plane load of disgruntled passengers while everything was being sorted out.

Should these guys get fired anyway due the harm they've caused the company image? It's a major criminal charge

Hydro One fired the employee who yelled FHRITP on live TV. He was off duty and in plain clothes.

Jian Gomeshi was fired long before he went to court, where he was found not guilty on all counts.

Maybe they are innocent but it doesn't help maintain a "professional" image.

[complexintentions]

Meh. Just carry a breathalyzer in the overnight bag, done.

But for sure, they should totally throw those bums in jail. Trials an' stuff are just a waste of time and money when the good denizens of AvCanada already have it all figured out.

[Air Canada Jazz]

It's seems like the story got overblown by local media
Pilots didn't get to the cockpit
No crewmembers complain about the behavior
Result of alcohol testing showing a very small amount of alcohol
Will see

[navajo_jay]

From the Journal de Montréal
http://www.journaldequebec.com/2016/07/ ... -des-faits

CACOUNA | La famille de Jean-François Perreault, l’un des pilotes d’Air Transat arrêtés pour facultés affaiblies par l’alcool en Écosse, soutient que l’histoire est en train de déraper et que de fausses informations circulent.

«On entend partout que deux pilotes saouls ont été arrêtés dans la cabine, mais ce n’est pas ça, mais pas ça du tout», souligne un membre de la famille du pilote arrêté, originaire de Cacouna, dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Jean-François Perreault
Ce proche, qui souhaite garder l’anonymat, affirme détenir des informations qui diffèrent de ce qui est relaté publiquement depuis le début du scandale entourant l’arrestation, lundi, de Jean-François Perreault, 39 ans et Imran Zafar Syed, 37 ans.

Ce membre de la famille est entré en communication avec la femme du pilote au courant de la journée mercredi. C’est elle qui lui aurait raconté le fil des événements tel que décrit par le syndicat qui représente le père de deux adolescents de 13 et 16 ans.

«Il y aurait d’abord eu une altercation avec un employé de l’hôtel où les deux pilotes logeaient», raconte-t-il. «Et c’est l’employé de l’hôtel qui aurait appelé les policiers.» Dans les médias, on affirmait plutôt que ce serait des collègues de travail qui les auraient dénoncés.

Ils se seraient ensuite fait arrêter aux barrières de sécurité des douanes, et non pas dans la cabine de pilotage.
Il ajoute que selon les informations qu’il détient, le taux d’alcoolémie du pilote Perreault était très bas et qu’on aurait retrouvé une quantité minime d’alcool dans son sang.
Impuissance
La famille supporte très mal toutes les rumeurs et informations diverses qui circulent au sujet de ce scandale qui ne s’essouffle pas.
«On est bien impuissant pendant qu’il est incarcéré là-bas en Écosse. On attend, on attend et c’est juste ça que l’on peut faire», a lancé le représentant de la famille Perreault, ajoutant que le président du syndicat du pilote serait en direction de l’Écosse.
«Il a tellement travaillé fort pour se retrouver là où il est et il prend son travail très au sérieux. Je trouvais que ça n’avait pas de bon sens comme histoire tel que raconté au départ», a-t-il conclu.

Translated with google Translate

CACOUNA | The family of Jean-François Perreault, one of Air Transat pilots arrested for impaired by alcohol in Scotland, argues that history is about to skid and false informations.

"We hear everywhere that two drunk pilot were arrested in the cabin, but it's not that, not that at all," said one member of the family of the arrested pilot, a native of Cacouna, in the Bas-Saint- Lawrence.

Jean-François Perreault
This relative, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims to have information that differs from what is publicly reported since the beginning of the scandal surrounding the arrest Monday of Jean-François Perreault, 39 and Syed Imran Zafar, 37.

This family member has contacted with the wife of the pilot on Wednesday. It was her who had told him the thread of events as described by the union representing the father of two teenagers of 13 and 16 years.

"There would have first had an altercation with a hotel employee where both pilots were staying," he says. "And it is the hotel employee who called the police." In the media, rather it was claimed that it would have been colleagues who would have denounced.

They would then be arrested at customs security gates, not in the cockpit.
He added that according to information he holds, the alcohol level of the pilot Perreault was very low and we have found a small amount of alcohol in his blood.
Incapacity
The family supports very badly all the various rumors and information circulating about this scandal that is sustained.
"It is powerless while he was incarcerated there in Scotland. We wait, we wait, it's just that we can do, "commented the representative of the Perreault family, adding that the president of the pilot union would be on his way to Scotland.
"He worked so hard to be where he is and he takes his job very seriously. I thought this story did not make sense told to start, "he said.

[CID]

http://avherald.com/h?article=49b7c45a&opt=0

Maybe a bottle of rum stuck in the flaps?

[Mick G]

Personally, I don't get what the fuss is about. I fly private and commercialy under the influence frequently and I find it makes me a better pilot. Ive yet to have an accident or incident. As long as you can hide it, all the power to you.

[aerodude]

From the Journal de Montréal
He added that according to information he holds, the alcohol level of the pilot Perreault was very low and we have found a small amount of alcohol in his blood.
The family supports very badly all the various rumors and information circulating about this scandal that is sustained.
"It is powerless while he was incarcerated there in Scotland. We wait, we wait, it's just that we can do, "commented the representative of the Perreault family, adding that the president of the pilot union would be on his way to Scotland.
"He worked so hard to be where he is and he takes his job very seriously. I thought this story did not make sense told to start, "he said.

What is "small" amount of alcohol in his blood?

[cdnpilot77]

The account from the family member sounds like the mother of every alleged criminal..."couldn't be my boy. You have the wrong guy, he would never do anything to hurt anyone, he's an angel"

[Sasquash]

A lot of speculation as to what exactly happened in this case. A quick web search shows that Scottish law are similar to what we have in Canada in that the crown is required to provide the defense with a "disclosure" package which includes all the evidence available to the police authorities.

This includes a full case report from the police officer's investigation finding, copy of all witness statements as well as any forensic testing result such as blood sample for alcohol evaluation or breathalyzer report or certificate. Defense counsel will then have a clearer picture as to where the flight crew stand legally and will be able to prepare a defense for the case.

Regardless of the outcome, certainly not a good publicity.

[Matterhorn White]

The day I can't do my job drunk is the day I turn in my badge and gun.

[fish4life]

As much as a few trolls here seem to be joking around about this I truly hope anyone reading this that suffers from the disease/ knows anyone who suffers from it uses this as an opportunity to get help.

I enjoy my beverages but I also know that sometimes when I go out I have a few more than planned and as a result I set a hard limit of 2 drinks when at work so that I don't get tempted to go down the dangerous road I'm sure many of us have been down where 3-4 beers turn into 15-20.

I'm genuinely curious what are most companies policies if someone calls in sick because they had a few too many the night before ? I heard of a Rouge crew that got fired for doing the right thing (after making the initial mistake of getting drunk) and called in sick in Europe only to have it blow up in their face.